Pachy-pumpkins

[BIOHEAD]

Ken, feeding pumpkins is a local pastime around northern suburbs of Boston.
Every October, there are "hefty" prizes awarded at the Topsfield Fair
to the heaviest pumpkin to weigh in. Last year's winner weighed more
than 630 lbs!! 

I have talked with friends of people who nurture these pumpkins, and have
been told that the fruit are fed MILK into their pedicels as they grow.
I have not seen this done, just heard about it 2nd hand, but on several
occasions. It may be a bucolic ruse, or in fact a viable practice.

Any other State Fair fans heard about this botanical analog to foie-gras?

                                     George Ellmroe
                                            Ellmore
                                     Biology Dept.
                                     Tufts Univ.
                                     Medford MA